Fortnite has returned to the Apple app store in the US, nearly five years after it was removed in 2020. The ban followed Epic Games' attempt to bypass Apple's 30% commission by introducing its own payment system, sparking a major legal fight.

The game is now also available on the Epic Games Store and AltStore in the EU. This development is being widely viewed as a win for Epic Games in its lengthy dispute over app store practices.

Analysts say it may shift power dynamics in distribution, giving creators more influence against platform holders.

The US return comes just days after Fortnite was briefly unavailable globally due to a blocked update. It had already reappeared in the EU earlier this year due to new competition laws. With over 400 million players worldwide, Fortnite remains one of the most popular games in the world.

Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!